The Treasure-Dropping Coin's Third Ring, Breaking Through to Level 70
The establishment of the Pill Tower Academy was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar in Heaven Dou City and even the entire Heaven Dou Empire.
Various factions dispatched spies to try and find out the details of this emerging academy.
However, the spies' attention was soon drawn to something else.
One month after the founding of the Pill Tower Academy, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family held a grand banquet.
The banquet was ostensibly to celebrate Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's breakthrough to Soul King, but it was clear to everyone that Xue Ye had ulterior motives.
The banquet was held in the Lingxiao Hall of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace. Dozens of tables were set up in the magnificent hall, and all the dignitaries of Heaven Dou City and representatives of various sects were present.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master Ning Fengzhi attended in person, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan also sent an envoy, and even the Spirit Hall Platinum Bishop Salas, who usually keeps to himself, made an exception and showed up.
The Xue Ye sat upright on his dragon throne, his face glowing with health and spirit.
He raised his glass to the guests, then clapped his hands and said loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, besides celebrating the Crown Prince's breakthrough to Soul King, I have another matter to announce to you all today."
Our Heaven Dou Royal Academy has assembled a brand new Soul Master team, which will represent the Heaven Dou Empire in the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament two years from now!
As soon as the words were spoken, the side door of the main hall slowly opened, and seven young Soul Master dressed in uniform silver-white battle robes filed in.
The leader was a handsome young man, who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old. He was tall and slender, with a gentle and refined temperament, yet his brows revealed an innate air of nobility.
He walked to the center of the hall, knelt on one knee before Xue Ye, and said in a clear voice, "Xue Yu greets Your Majesty."
"Rise." Xue Ye smiled and raised his hand, then introduced the guests, "This is Xue Yu, a member of a collateral branch of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. She is nineteen years old this year, her Martial Soul Emerald Swan, and she is a level forty-three Soul Ancestor."
These words immediately sparked a murmur of whispers in the hall.
Emerald Swan!
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family's inherited Martial Soul is the Swan, and most members of the royal family possess either a white Swan or a black Swan Martial Soul.
The Emerald Swan is a legendary super Soul Beast, possessing extremely powerful healing and group support abilities.
What's even more surprising is Xue Yu's Soul Power Level. At nineteen years old, she's a level 43 Soul Ancestor. This cultivation speed has already surpassed that of most core disciples of major sects.
However, the introduction of Xue Ye was not yet over.
After Xue Yu stepped aside, the second young man stepped forward.
"Yu Tianheng, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, Level 42 Soul Ancestor."
Yu Tianheng is the grandson of Yu Yuanzhen, the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the former captain of the Imperial Fighting Team of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Immediately afterward, the twin brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, walked out side by side. Both of them were level 41 Soul Ancestor.
Then there's Yu Feng, a level 41 Soul Ancestor; Osler, a level 41 Soul Ancestor.
These five people are all original members of the Imperial Fighting Team of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Most of the guests present recognized them, but were surprised by the speed at which their Soul Power increased.
However, when the last person came out, no one recognized him.
He was a thin young man with a cold and stern face and sharp, piercing eyes.
His hands were long and powerful, and a sharp sword aura emanated from his body.
"This is Lei Ling, the son of the Wind Sword Sect disciple who married out and my Heaven Dou noble family. His Martial Soul Mutation Lightning Sword. He is 22 years old this year and is a level 41 Soul Ancestor."
His Lightning Sword combines the sword intent of the Wind Sword Sect with the power of lightning, making its attack power unmatched among Soul Master of the same level.
The Wind Sword Sect is one of the Seven Great Sects on the continent. Although it ranks low, its sword techniques are extremely refined.
A disciple of the Wind Sword Sect married out of the sect, and her child unexpectedly awakened Mutated Martial Soul, the Lightning Sword.
But this child probably wasn't very talented before, otherwise he wouldn't be unknown at 22 years old.
Seven people, all of them Soul Ancestor, and each of them possesses a powerful Martial Soul. Such a lineup would have been enough to contend for the championship in previous Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament.
Xue Ye was clearly very satisfied with this team.
With a wave of his hand, he announced on the spot, "From this day forward, Xue Yu is hereby granted the title of Duke, and the other six are to be granted the title of Viscount! I hope you will all cultivate diligently and bring glory to the Heaven Dou Empire in the Grand Tournament two years from now!"
The seven responded in unison, and enthusiastic applause rang out in the hall.
Dugu Yan stood in the crowd, looking at Xue Ye's smug expression, her face full of doubt.
She quietly tugged at Zhao Ming's sleeve and asked in a low voice, "Zhao Ming, I don't understand, why did you have my grandfather go along with giving the Heaven Dou Royal Academy so many pills? And even a Purple Ganoderma Pill?"
Grandpa personally went to withdraw from the school. Even if the three education committee members disagreed at first, once Grandpa released his Soul Power pressure, would they dare to refuse?
"If Titled Douluo personally intervenes, wouldn't it be better for them to obediently complete the task? Why bother sending them pills for nothing?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ming simply smiled and offered no explanation.
Dugu Yan grew impatient and tugged at his sleeve again. "What are you laughing at? Tell me!"
Some things are too difficult for the people of the Douluo Continent to understand, so there's no need to explain them.
Zhao Ming shook his head, his tone carrying a meaningful undertone, "You'll understand when things happen later."
Dugu Yan stared wide-eyed, completely unable to understand what Zhao Ming was saying.
But she also knew Zhao Ming's temper; if he didn't want to talk about something, there was no point in asking. She could only huff angrily, turn her head away, and ignore him.
Zhao Ming looked at Dugu Yan's puffed-up profile, but his heart remained calm.
After Zhao Ming and Ye Renxin established the Pill Tower together, the Fortune-Gathering Domain had been accumulating Fortune. Zhao Ming sensed it then. Once the Fortune accumulated to a certain limit, his Third Soul Ring of the Treasure-Dropping Coin would be able to condense.
Since the Pill Tower Headquarters is located in Heaven Dou City, it is inevitable that it will have to deal with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Instead of using the Titled Douluo to coerce the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it would be better to take this opportunity to express goodwill to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Family through the Heaven Dou Imperial Family Royal Academy.
Of course, some people might think that since Pill Tower already has two titles and is backed by the Worship Hall, the Angel Clan doesn't need to give face to the royal family. Might makes right, and if the royal family dares to cause trouble, they can just wipe them out.
The idea is correct, but if Pill Tower acts in this way, it will inevitably arouse the vigilance of some forces, and Pill Tower's business will most likely not go so smoothly.
Zhao Ming didn't want to create any unnecessary complications; he only wanted to make money peacefully and quickly accumulate enough Wealth Aura to form the Third Soul Ring of the Treasure-Dropping Coin.
For Zhao Ming, nothing is more important than the Treasure-Dropping Coin.
This is only one of the reasons. Zhao Ming has other plans, which Dugu Yan will naturally understand once things happen.
Zhao Ming has always believed that truly intelligent people don't need explanations, and those who need explanations won't be helped by them.
Just like how Yu Xiaogang burning grain fodder is blown out of proportion, the average IQ of people in the Douluo Continent is what it is, so saying too much is just like casting pearls before swine.
After the banquet, Zhao Ming did not linger and returned directly to the Pill Tower Academy.
Time flows like water, quietly passing by.
A year and a half has passed since the Xue Ye's grand display of power.
In the past year and a half, Pill Tower Academy has developed by leaps and bounds.
With the academy's strong faculty and ample supply of elixirs, the first cohort of students made rapid progress in their abilities.
Many of the students who were just over level 20 when they enrolled have now broken through to become Soul Elder Soul Grandmaster, and some of the most talented students have even reached the threshold of Soul Ancestor.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's progress is even more astonishing. A year ago, Dugu Yan hunted for her fifth Soul Ring, which had an age of 20,000 years. Her Soul Power cultivation reached level 53 after hunting for the Soul Ring. After a year and a half of hard training, she has now broken through to level 55 Soul King.
Ye Lingling was not to be outdone; she also obtained her fifth Soul Ring a year ago, with a lifespan of 18,000 years, and is now a level 53 Soul King.
The pill business of Pill Tower has grown bigger and bigger. The first benefit of Zhao Ming and his classmates dropping out of school to provide pills has become apparent. Now, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family looks at Pill Tower with great favor and gives it the green light in Pill Tower.
The wealth of the Pill Tower grew at a snowballing rate, and Ye Renxin had even begun to consider establishing Pill Tower in the Star Luo Empire and Spirit City.
As for Zhao Ming himself, he devoted almost all of his time to cultivation over the past year and a half.
That morning, Zhao Ming sat cross-legged in a secluded meditation room deep within the Pill Tower Academy, as usual, circulating the "Nine-Breath Qi Absorption" to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
A faint medicinal fragrance permeated the secret room, the lingering scent of long-term alchemy practice.
The walls are made of special soundproof stone, which allows this place to remain absolutely quiet.
Zhao Ming closed his eyes and concentrated, circulating nine breaths. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged into his body like a tide, slowly circulating along the nine main meridians.
His Soul Power surged through his meridians like a mighty river, turbulent and unstoppable.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Ming suddenly felt a soft "crack" sound coming from somewhere inside his body, as if something had shattered.
Immediately afterwards, a powerful surge of Soul Power erupted from his body, like a flood bursting its banks. His Soul Power underwent a qualitative change at this moment, becoming more condensed and more powerful.
Level 70!
Zhao Ming slowly opened his eyes, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.
"Finally, a breakthrough!"
He stretched, and his bones cracked and popped.
A level 70 Quasi- Soul Saint, only one Soul Ring away from becoming a true Soul Saint.
Once he obtains the Seventh Soul Ring, he will be able to unlock his Martial Soul Avatar, and his strength will experience a qualitative leap.
Zhao Ming has now mastered the supernatural ability of "Nine-Breath Qi Absorption".
Although it's only at the proficient level, the power of this supernatural ability far surpasses that of ordinary martial arts.
With the blessing of the Nine-Breath Qi Absorption Technique, Zhao Ming's Soul Power increased at an extremely terrifying rate.
However, the higher one 'Soul Power cultivation, the slower one's level increases; this is an ironclad rule that no Soul Master can avoid.
It took Zhao Ming a full year and a half to break through from level 64 to level 70.
It takes a year and a half to reach Level 6, which averages out to Level 4 per year.
Such a cultivation speed is simply astonishing at the Soul Emperor level.
It's important to understand that even for a super genius with Innate Full Soul Power, advancing two levels per year is already the limit at the Soul Emperor level.
But Zhao Ming himself was not very satisfied.
"As expected, the higher one's Soul Power cultivation, the slower one's level increases." He shook his head and muttered to himself.
If other Soul Master heard this, they'd probably vomit blood on the spot. Soul Emperor level four cultivation speed in a year and you're still not satisfied? Do you want to fly to the heavens?
But Zhao Ming genuinely felt it was slow. He was used to the rocket-like leveling speed at lower levels, and now that the speed had slowed down, he inevitably felt a bit uncomfortable.
Moreover, the "Nine-Breath Qi Absorption" he cultivates is a genuine supernatural power method, a proficient level supernatural power, and its cultivation speed is ten times that of Super Martial Soul Master like Dugu Yan with Innate Full Soul Power cultivating the "Yin-Yang Art".
Even with ten times the speed, he could only reach level four in a year, which shows just how powerful Zhao Ming's foundation is now.
After breaking through, Zhao Ming did not rush to hunt Soul Beast to obtain Soul Ring. He had already planned to condense his own Soul Ring when he reached level 70.
The essence of Soul Ring is the combination of the Soul Power within Soul Beast's body after its death and the power of heaven and earth.
If a method could be found to directly condense the energy of heaven and earth into Soul Ring without killing Soul Beast, then the killing cycle between Soul Master and Soul Beast that has lasted for thousands of years could be completely broken, and the Yin-Yang Art could begin to be widely promoted.
Zhao Ming planned to spend three months researching it himself first, and if he still couldn't figure it out, he would think of another way.
When talking about self-formed Soul Ring, we must mention Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu is the human form of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Soft Bone Rabbit. Her method of condensing Soul Ring is completely different from that of human Soul Master.
Human Soul Master need to hunt Soul Beast to obtain Soul Ring, while the first six Soul Ring of Transformed Soul Beast can be formed on its own by consuming the Transformed Soul Beast's resources.
If Zhao Ming could observe Xiao Wu's process of condensing her Soul Ring up close, it would greatly benefit his research on the Soul Ring Condensation Method.
The message Ye Qing sent back from Notting City indicated that Xiao Wu's Soul Power Level had broken through to level 29 a month ago.
Based on previous experience, Xiao Wu would typically break through to the next level within a week of Tang San's breakthrough.
Tang San can advance one level in about two months. The transition from level 29 to level 30 is considered the first minor bottleneck in Soul Master's cultivation. In the original story, Tang San also experienced this bottleneck, so it will likely take another three or four months.
Three or four months is neither a long nor a short time.
After considering it for a while, Zhao Ming decided to first study the condensation method on his own for three months.
If we can make a name for ourselves within three months, that would be ideal. If not, we should go to Notting City in advance to see firsthand how Xiao Wu condenses her Third Soul Ring.
"I can afford to waste three months," Zhao Ming muttered to himself. "That should be enough time."
He stood up, pushed open the door to the secret room, and went out.
Outside, the sun was shining brightly.
On the playground of the Pill Tower Academy, students were doing their morning exercises. The light of their Soul Skill intertwined and flickered in the sky above the playground, creating a vibrant scene.
Zhao Ming walked around the playground twice to clear his mind, then turned and headed towards the Pill Tower, preparing to begin researching how to condense Soul Ring.
P. S.: I noticed that some readers don't really like this kind of plot and scheming. When I set up the elixir in the last chapter, many readers reacted quite strongly, which was a bit unexpected.
I see that everyone's feedback is basically the same: a Titled Douluo is expelled from school, and you still dare to talk back? You still dare to ask for benefits? You should just slap him.
But Dugu Bo gave out the pills for later plans and schemes!
This is my first time writing Douluo Continent fanfic, and I didn't expect that this kind of plot with its intricate schemes and calculations would be so unpopular.
I'm used to writing fantasy novels, and I often plant foreshadowing in the early chapters, relying on plot and scheming to gain some benefits. It seems that Douluo don't like to do that.
The plot for this part has already been arranged. After reading everyone's feedback on the previous chapter, I've written out the arrangements for the rest of the story in advance. This chapter explains the matter of Treasure-Dropping Coin's Third Soul Ring.
Originally Treasure-Dropping Coin's Third Soul Ring was not to be written out. It was to be revealed unexpectedly when the protagonist faced Tang Hao, and then the story would return to recall this part of the plot.
The story will then proceed as normal, focusing on how the Treasure-Dropping Coin condenses into the Third Soul Ring, directly revealing the power of the Third Soul Ring, rather than using the power of the Third Soul Ring to defeat Tang Hao and then reminiscing about it.
The other part will be revealed when the Soul Master Tournament is held.
In short, since everyone dislikes this kind of plot-driven storyline and prefers straightforward, exciting battles, I won't write it like that anymore.